Acts of Contrition: Kirsten Beyer.

When we last left the Full Circle Fleet, Admiral Janeway had just assumed control. Her first order of business is to open diplomatic negotiations with The Confederacy of the Worlds of the First Quadrant, a potential ally for the Federation in the Delta Quadrant. At the same time, Seven is back on Earth to assist Starfleet Medical with the atomic plague while Tom Paris is engaged in the fight of his life as his mother questions his fitness to be a father.

In this episode of Literary Treks, author Kirsten Beyer joins hosts Matthew Rushing and Christopher Jones to discuss her latest book, Acts of Contrition, including the social issues represented in The Confederacy of the Worlds of the First Quadrant, the liberation of Tom Paris as a character, and Seven’s continued journey to adulthood. Plus, Kirsten teases what is to come in the final installment, Atonement.

In our news segment, we learn that legendary author Harlan Ellison has suffered a stroke, find out a bit about Sacraments of Fire from David R. George III, and judge The Missing by its cover.

News

Judge a Book By Its Cover: The Missing (4:03)David R. George III teases Sacraments of Fire (7:38)Harlan Ellison suffers stroke (9:43)Sponsor: Audible (10:51)

To Brave the Storm. John Jackson Miller in News. We discuss if the book covers enough, the pacing, Mayweather returning, T’Pau’s change of heart, Romulans, Trip and T’Pol, what might have been and ratings.

Rules of Accusation: Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann. We have a surprise interview with Paula Block and Terry Erdmann from the Shore Leave convention and then we discuss this latest foray into the Ferengi world.

Captain to Captain. We discuss a brand new series, previously on the Space Ship Enterprise, legacies, slugs, parallels, the transfer key and connections, The Prime Directive, legacy of the Enterprise, ratings and final thoughts.

The Romulan War: Beneath the Raptor’s Wing. We discuss the expansive scope, Columbia’s disappearance, character work, media in wartime, war - what is it good for?, losing the Nfs, ratings and final thoughts.

Star Trek: Avenger. We discuss coming back to the book, the Federation’ existential and ecological crisis, a group with questionable policies, Kirk as Sarek’s “Son”, Kirk avenging, the return…again, ratings and final thoughts.

The Last Will Be First: Tristan Riddell. Matthew Rushing and Dan Gunther are joined by Bruce Gibson and Strange New Worlds contestant Tristan Riddell to talk about his DS9 story The Last Will Be First. Then as a special treat and for the first time ever, we present the audiobook version of his story to the world.

Elusive Salvation: Dayton Ward. We discuss the title, continuing in history’s shadow, new aliens, where to go, the timey-whimy, Roberta Lincoln, cheekiness, SPOILERS, the importance of hope, a pop question, what’s next for Dayton and where to find him online.

Kobayashi Maru. We discuss Archer coming into his own, wrong things for the wrong reasons, a shadowy man, a shadowy problem, overly long and not a lot of plot points, the Kobayashi Maru, historical connections and our ratings.

Live By the Code. We discuss the interesting series, the greater good, Trip’s soul and Section 31, Klingon connections, interference, fanatical racism, a full plate, the problem of dependency and our ratings.